USA > Missouri > Lafayette County > Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 21
USA > Missouri > Saline County > Portrait and biographical record of Lafayette and Saline counties, Missouri : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 21
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Born in Warren County, Ky., in 1813, Mr. Page is the son of Axel Il. Page, a native of Vir- ginia. Ilis mother, born in the Old Dominion. was a daughter of John Ennis, also a native Vir- ginian. The remote ancestors of the Page family were of Scotch and English nativity, while the English branch of the Pages early located in Vir- ginia, and during the Revolutionary struggles and triumphs rendered signal service to the Federal Government. The paternal grandfather of our subject, in whose honor Mr. Page received the
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baptismal name of Joseph, was a native of Vir- . ing political promotion himself, he is ever inter- ginia, and a man renowned for courage, wit and ability. He was widely known and commanded the esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances.
The early years of the life of Mr. Page were passed upon his father's farm in Warren County, Ky. Ilis leisure moments were few. In spring, summer and fall he assisted in sowing, planting and reaping, and in winter went to school. Trained to honest industry, he acquired habits of useful- ness and independence of character, which were his substantial capital with which to begin life for himself. In 1827 the family bade adieu to old Kentucky and removed to Missouri, settling in Dover Township, La Fayette County. Our sub- jeet enjoyed some further educational opportuni- ties in his new home, where the subscription schools of the neighborhood were conducted with regularity. Passing through the days of boyhood and arriving at twenty-one years, Mr. Page de- termined to begin farming for himself, and lo- eated upon his present homestead, which is on section 23, township 50, range 27.
The three hundred and twenty acres, all under a high state of cultivation, have ever yielded ex- cellent returns for the labor and time expended upon the fertile soil. In the year 1836 our sub- jeet was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Crisley Couch, a native of North Carolina. The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Page was blessed by the birth of fifteen chil- dren. This exceptionally large family of brothers and sisters were widely known for their intelli- gent ability and self-reliance. Of the eight sons and seven daughters who were wont to cluster about the family table, the following survive, and all occupy positions of honor and influence. Eliz- abeth, named in honor of her mother, was the eld- est child. Axel H., called by the honored name of his grandfather, was the second child, and then followed in succession llenry C., William B., Jo- sephi II., Francis, Bathsheba, Jessie .I., Mary, Joshua B., Thomas H., James M. and Maria, the young- est daughter.
Mr. Page is a strong Democrat, and has affili- ated with that party since 1860. Without desir-
T ested in the candidates for local and national office, well knowing the prosperity of the whole country depends upon the skillful guidance of those who steer the Ship of State. Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Masonic order at Lex- ington, Mo. Three-score and live years have passed swiftly away since Mr. Page, then a boy of fourteen, made his home not far from his present location. The then unbroken land has since yielded up its thousands of acres to culture, and blossom- ing orchards have replaced the thick underbrush. Modern dwellings, roomy barns, and commodious outbuildings stand where stood the rude houses fashioned of logs, and little is left to remind the new-comer of the pioneer days. The work which such unselfish and untiring citizens as Mr. Page accomplishes lives after them, and the benefits they confer on posterity are a lasting monument to their lives of toil and usefulness.
OHN PORTER SCOTT. Some mention of the life work of this former prominent busi- ness man of Miami, who has now entered into his rest, will not be without interest to our readers. He was born in Salem, Ind., July 24, 1819. Ilis father, Ofley Scott, was born in Cul- peper County, Va., April 11, 1789. Through him the ancestry is traced back to John, then to Will- iam, who emigrated from Derry, Ireland, (it is thought from dates in the family record in the year 1735) with Burden's Colony, who came over as agents for Lord Thomas Fairfax on condition that he had one hundred settlers on his grant of land in ten years.
Records and traditions of the Scott family are meagre, consisting only of births, marriages and deaths. They were known as an honorable, highly respected race, and were generally thrifty and in comfortable circumstances. James and John, the latter our subject, were left orphans so early in
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life that they had little remembrance of their par- ents. Their Scott relatives being in Kentucky. they entered at once the family of their guardian, Dr. Burr Bradley, from Boston, Mass,, under whose charge they remained until grown to manhood. Of their mother's family. named Mckinney, living not far from Salem, they have a more complete and satisfactory record, which dates back, however, to the same colony of Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. As early settlers of Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, they were prominent in all work which tended to- ward advancing civilization, building up institu- tions of learning. and as ministers and leaders their names often occur in the early history of those times.
Dr. Bradley placed James and John Scott in school. under the charge of John 1. Morrison, a prominent educator of Southern Indiana. James. not being fond of books and not possessing an in- tellectual tuin of mind, chose to leave school early for a business life. Shortly afterward he was mar- ried to Adaline Shelbourne, a lady of rare execu- tive ability and force of character. They reared three children: Janie Smith, Lou Belle Turner, and Dr. Walter, who showed early in his profession a high order of ability, but died while young. James, the father. died in 1868. The following extract was found in his reeord book. a fitting tribute to his brother: " There is but one real, genuine re- spectable service of God, and that is the service which day by day shows itself in honest. earnest and sincere living, which day by day endeavors to free itself from unrighteousness, which day by day endeavors to clothe itself in the beauty of unself- ishness. All this I believe my brother endeavored to do."
John P. Scott continued in the Washington County Seminary through its course, having as classmates many who afterward became prominent in the history of that State. He was selected by a Congressman of that district for a scholarship at West Point. It was, however, decided by Dr. Bradley that he was physically untitted for the drill. and Thomas Rodman, who became an able engineer and also the inventor of the Rodman gun, was selected to take his place. He was then urged by his teacher and friends to study law, for
which he had a decided preference and mental fit- ness. He pursued legal studies for some time, and was able through life to work up any case in which he became interested. In the literary societies connected with the school, he showed a high order of ability, both as a writer and speaker.
It was here that the life mistake of Mr. Scott was made. lle was turned aside from his chosen profession by the necessity of immediate effort for a living. In a financial crisis in the town, his guardian failed, and he thus lost the little remain- ing of his patrimony. Resigning a life of congenial brain work, for which nature had fitted him and of which he always felt the want, he afterward lived in a world of books and beautiful ideals, apart from the business to which he devoted his life and energies for fifty years. For three years he was book-keeper for a house in Salem, after which he removed to St. Louis, and from there went to Boonville, Mo., in 1841. Here he enjoyed his first holiday, visiting the family of his uncle, William Scott, a prosperous planter. In that city he ac- cepted a position in a business house, remaining three years.
While in Boonville, Mr. Scott formed the ac- quaintance of Judge MeDaniel, with whom he agreed to go to Saline County and take charge of a general mercantile and produce business, Saline being at that time a large hemp-producing county. The firm of McDaniel & Scott was established in 1844. Before taking charge of this business, Mr. Scott went to lowa and was there married to Miss Elvira A. Weir, aschoolmate of former years, and together they started life in Miami. The business was heavy and laborious, requiring the closest care and attention. The partnership was dissolved in 1817, and from that time Mr. Scott continued alone in business through life. As a business man, no other in the county left a fairer or more hon- orable record. The business is still conducted un- der his name. At his death, he left two children and three grandchildren, namely: Mrs. Eva W. Miller and her two children, Eva S. and Louise W .: and Mrs. Hebe MeDaniel and her daughter, Mary. Eva W. was married, November 3, 1871, to Lewis W. Miller, a young lawyer of promise. who died in ,January. 1874. He was a son of Hon. John G.
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Miller, who was sent to represent his district in the Congress of the United States three times. Ile died comparatively young during his third term. Hebe was married, in June, 1877, to Dr. A. S. Me- Daniel, son of Judge R. E. McDaniel, well known in the early history of Saline County.
During the horrors of the Civil War, and when the country was so impoverished that bankruptcy was almost universal, Mr. Scott paid every dollar of debt and made a new start in life, after his prime was over. He devoted the more closely to business his declining years, that might have been spent in a leisure that would have given time for the intellectual enjoyment he had been denied. Ilis writings were mainly historical and political sketches. Ile also left many little poems that are highly prized by his family and friends. The last he ever wrote expresses his faith in the love of the Father, and his belief and hope in immortality. Every year he seemed to have come up into a higher plane, growing more and more patient, strong and loving. Without a bodily infirmity, with mind vigorous and clear, that for which he had always longed-death suddenly and without pain-came and he fell asleep.
James Weir, father of Mrs. Elvira A. Scott, was born in Rockbridge County, Va .. in 1797. His father, Robert, born in 1769, was the son of James Weir, Sr., who emigrated from County Down in the North of Ireland. From him his descendants possess two relies. his will and a memorandum book with dates as far back as 1745, in which some items indicate that he held a public office. There are extant records of the Weir family dating back to the sixteenth century, when this branch of the family obtained their grant of land in the North of Ireland. . James Weir removed with his father from Kentucky to Clarke's Grant, north of the Ohio River. Indiana was then a Territory, full of hostile Indiana. For a time they lived in a fort. James Weir married Jane Dinwiddie, of Scott County, Ky. Her father, Thomas Dinwiddie, who belonged to the family of that name known in Colonial history, removed to Kentucky soon after the Revolutionary War. James Weir lived in Indiana until 1841, when he removed still further West and located in Iowa, then a Territory, partly
in possession of the Indians. Ile settled in Wa- pello County in the new reservation, with the his- tory of which he was prominently connected for ten years before his death. As a citizen and friend, he was beloved and respected by all.
NTHONY W. DOUTHITT, residing upon a very good farm located in township 49, range 26, section 32. in La Fayette County, Mo., may be named as one of the most suc- cessful of the agriculturists of this part of the State. Our subject was born in Beaver County. Pa .. February 13, 1828, a son of Robert and Phoebe (Newkirk) Donthitt, both parents being natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal ancestors of the family came from Ireland, and the grandfather, Joseph Douthitt, took part in the Revolutionary War under Gen. Wayne. This grandfather was a pioneer of Beaver County, Pa., and there the father of our subject was born in 1802.
Our subject has two brothers and one sister liv- ing: Shipman N., Robert .I., and Mrs. R. A. Satter- field, of Marshall County. Pa. Anthony was reared to maturity in his native State, and, while early accustomed to the duties of farm life, his education was not neglected. After attendance at the sub- scription schools of his neighborhood, he went into the public schools, and from there entered the Darlington Academy, at Darlington, Pa., where he continued for some time. This excellent institu- tion has always kept up a high standard of educa- tion, and when our subject left there he was pre- pared for the business of teaching, which he en- gaged in for some time in his native State.
The marriage of Mr. Douthitt took place May 1, 1851, with Miss Anna W. Welsh, a native of Beaver County, born April 30, 1827. She was the estima- ble daughter of William and Beulah (Cooper) Welsh, her father a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of New Jersey, of English ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Douthitt six children were born, as follows: Homer J .. Richard W., Joseph B .. Rob-
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ert L .: Ella J., wife of Allen Brown; and Mary T., deceased. Both of the daughters of Mr. Douthitt followed the profession of teaching, one until mar- riage, the other until called away by the summons all must obey. The sons are all fine young men. able to take their positions in life with credit to themselves and the family.
In 1866 our subject removed with his family to the State of Missouri and located first in Johnson County, where he remained until 1868, then came into La Fayette County. The farm upon which Mr. Douthitt and his most excellent wife reside is a very good one, in a fine state of cultivation. yielding a handsome income, and has proved a val- uable investment. Success has crowned the efforts of our subjeet, and now he and the companion of his joys and sorrows are enjoying the comforts of life in a quiet way, attending upon the services of their church, the Southern Methodist. as oppor- tunity offers, and living, in the meantime, lives of Christian effort and example.
Mr. Douthitt is a Democrat in his political pro- (livities, and has filled many of the local offices in the gift of the people. His vote always goes in the direction of improvement of any kind in the county or State. As a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Master Mason, he is widely known, and is now connected with the lodge in Iliggins- ville, and is one of the most highly respected men in the county, having so conducted his life as to receive the esteem of all. Mrs. Douthitt is also most favorably known to a smaller circle. She has one remaining sister. Mrs. Mary Barnes, of Pennsylvania.
OSEPH D. EDWARDS, a prominent business man of Fairville, Mo., and the present Post- master of the place, is the subject of the present notice. His parents were natives of Virginia, and were named Joseph C. and Eliza- beth (Harvey) Edwards, and both died there when Joseph, Jr .. was but a lad. He grew up in the kind family of Maj. Harvey, who was the father of
Thomas R. E. Harvey, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere. Jhis education was somewhat limited and was received in an old log schoolhouse, of primitive pattern and design, of the kind now rarely seen except in a picture. where its pic- turesqueness does not display its actual discom- forts in real life.
In 1836, our subject came with Maj. Harvey to Saline County. Mo., and this has been his home ever since. He went into business for himself in 1847, when he began clerking in a store in St. Louis, but remained there but a short time, when he returned to Miami and engaged in business, where he continued for three years, prospering all the time. When in his twenty-first year, he married Miss Elizabeth, the daughter of James Baker. She became the mother of one son, who is named Marcellus and is now a real-estate broker of St. Louis. Mrs. Edwards lived but a short time, and in 1854 our subject married Mrs. Amanda Harl, the daughter of Thomas Evans, and to them were born seven children who are still living and one which has been taken away.
After marriage, Mr. Edwards followed farming as an occupation until 1875, when he established his present business, which has proven very satis- factory. He seems peculiarly fitted for commercial pursuits and is very popular. As soon as he had established his business he was made Postmaster and has directed the affairs of the office to the sat- isfaction of all the community. Ilis mercantile business has been very gratifying in its success, as he keeps up with the times and is always pleasing and obliging.
Politically, our subject is a Democrat and for several terms has served as Justice of the Peace. Ilis religious convictions have placed him in the Christian Church and he is a man highly esteemed. Ile has had a long residence in the county, has seen most of its development and has been identi- fied with its progress in the best sense of the term. There are some who feel pleased if progress is made and are glad to participate in it, but who do not render much aid in that direction themselves. but it is not to that class that our subject belongs, as he encourages the improvements and helps to push along the car.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN ITH NATIONS
L
Faithfully yours JBDavis, M. D.
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B. DAVIS, A. B., M. S., M. D. Few, if any, men are better known in Marshall than the genial City Physician, and although he unites the melancholy office of Coroner with the aforesaid, that is a necessary evil that is for- gotten in his pleasing personality and in the read- iness with which he responds in hours of need to the poor as well as the rich. He is a native of this city and was born March 29, 1842, the son of Isaac W. and Rebecca (Baker) Davis.
Members of the Davis family for the past three generations have figured conspicuously in the pub- lic life of Marshall. Our subjeet's grandfather, Cornelius Davis, held the first Justice Court in Sahne County, and was one of the Commissioners who located the county seat at that place. He was a native of Kentucky, where he married and where his son, our subject's father, was born. In about 1820, he removed to Missouri, before it was made a State, and located in what is now Saline County, at .Jonesboro, which was the first county seat. lle followed merchandising throughout his life.
Our subject's mother was born in Virginia, and eame here with her parents about 1822. Her fa- ther, Michael Baker, also located near Jonesboro. After Marshall was made the county seat, our sub- ject's father moved here, built a store and carried on a general mercantile business until his death, which occurred in 1844. The family which he left comprised a widow and tive sons: Cornelius M., Henry, Thomas, Joseph B. and Isaac. The mother died in 1863. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and reared her children in the teachings of that faith.
As a lad, our subject was first sent to a public school. Afterward he became a student in the Central College, in Fayette. Howard County, and in 1869 was graduated with the title of Bach- elor of Arts. Ile then entered the Missouri State University at Columbia and was graduated June 25, 1873, with the title of Master of Science. Later, he took a course at the Missouri Medical College in St. Louis, and there added the profes- sional title to his other degrees in the Class of '83. In the meantime he had disciplined himself and had doubtless learned many valuable lessons by teaching.
Thus equipped for the practice of his profession, Dr. Davis determined to hang out his shingle at his old home, and consequently his professional work has been confined to this place. He has built up an extensive practice, and is widely known as a profound student of the science, as well as being suc- cessful in the practical treatment of his profession.
Three times he has been elected Coroner of the county, and is the first and only City Physician whom Marshall has ever had. He is a member of the Saline County Medical Society, and, fraternally, belongs to Lexington Lodge No. 149, F. & A. M.
Our subject has given his undivided attention to his chosen work, and in these days when science is making such strides, and a hint may reveal hitherto unknown worlds, he finds that his time is so taxed that he can give but little attention to affairs not directly pertaining to his practice. Dr. Davis is as yet in the bachelor ranks, but doubtless some estimable lady will sometime make him happy.
AMILLUS BARNETT, JR., one of the suc- cessful farmers and stock-feeders of Mid- dleton Township, La Fayette County, Mo., is the subject of this sketch. The fine farm of which he is the owner is located in township 50, range 24, section 22, and consists of three hnn- dred and twenty acres of well-improved and cul- tivated land, beside which he owns another farm of two hundred and fifty acres. Mr. Barnett is a native of the county, having been born in Lex- ington Township in 1854. His parents were Camillus and Martha ( Young) Barnett, the latter a daughter of Col. James Young, natives of Ken- tucky and Tennessee.
Our subject spent his boyhood days in La Fay- ette County, and was afforded the advantages of- fered by the public school in Lexington. At the age of twenty-one years, he desired to begin life for himself and decided to make agriculture his occupation. This has been a congenial business, and in it he has found prosperity, and in conec-
10
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tion with cattle-feeding he has become a wealthy and influential business man in this locality. His many acres yield surprising crops, and the demand for eattle never grows less.
In polities Mr. Barnett is a pronounced Demo- erat, giving much thought to the great questions of the day. February 17. 1880, was made mem- orable by his marriage with Miss Minnie Goodwin, a daughter of James W. Goodwin, of La Fayette County, and two bright little sons, JJames and Samuel. have graced this union. Our subject and his good wife are both members of the Presbyte- rian Church, and their community find in them true friends and kind neighbors, who are ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who are in trouble or want.
C HIRISTIAN ALTHOUSE, a leading and rep- resentative business man of Marshall, Saline County, Mo., is a well-known and highly- respected member of the substantial firm of C. Althouse & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in groceries and queensware. This prosperous house also does a large business in the baking depart- ment. and taken altogether has a wide-reaching custom, extending its boundaries every year, and now embracing the greater portion of the county. Since 1869 a resident of Marshall, Mr. Althouse has been for more than a seore of years closely identified with the growth and best interests of his present home, and has aided in benevolent enter- prises, being especially active and energetic in church work and religious advancement.
Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany. April 25, 1843. His father, Christian Althouse, was a native of Germany and followed the peaceful pur- suit of agriculture, though he served his regular time in the German army. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church and was for many years Ruling Elder of that religious organi- zation, and was universally esteemed and highly respected by the entire community among whom
he lived, and died a true and sincere Christian man. His wife, Mary E. ( Lettermann) Althouse, was born and died in Prussia and was a most ex- cellent mother and devoted wife. The six chil- dren. all trained to habits of thrift and industry. are yet living, and with the exception of our sub- ject reside in their native land.
Mr. Althouse, the third child of the family, was reared in the village of Arfeld. He received early instruction in the common schools of the neighbor- hood, and when fourteen years of age was appren- ticed to a baker and thoroughly learned the trade. After engaging in journeyman's work in differ- ent parts of Prussia, he determined to leave home and family and emigrate to America. In May. 1867. he left Bremen on the steamer "Metropolis," and in thirteen days was safely landed in New York. Ilis destination was Missouri. and he was soon located in Randolph County, near Roanoke. where he worked on a farm for eighteen months. He then found more profitable employment in lluntsville as a baker, and remained there until 1869, when he came to Marshall and started a bakery of his own. also selling confectionery.
About 1879, our subject added groceries and ran the two branches of business in partnership with G. II. Althouse, who retired from the firm six years ago. Mr. Althouse and his sons now pros- perously conduct and manage the entire business. He has built a brick block of two stores, forty feet front and two stories high. and the firm uses one store. The bake-shop. built separately, was designed by Mr. Althouse, is very large and well adapted for the purpose of its use, and is pleasantly located on a corner fronting the lots built on and improved with stores. Mr. Althouse also erected a handsome family residence on Benton Avenue. Hle was married in Randolph County in 1870 to Miss Eliza Althouse, born in Randolph County and a daughter of G. H. Althouse, a farmer of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Althouse are the parents of three children: George HI., attending the Missouri Valley College; Mary, a member of the Class of '91, studying music; and Reuben Y.
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